Cuttings remover for slotting machines

ABSTRACT

For use with a slotting machine a device for speedy and efficient removal of the cuttings comprising a shaft carrying an arcuate die, a second shaft parallel to said first shaft and located downwardly thereof and carrying a grooved drum. Said drum is located spacedly beneath the die for movement of a blank therebetween with the groove presented for accepting said die during cutting operation. A friction-producing belt carried in said groove for engaging the cutting driven thereinto by said die for carrying and impelling said cutting outwardly of said machine.

United-States Patent Inventor Victor LaBantschnig St. Louis, Mo.

Appl. No. 847,146

Filed Aug. 4, 1969 Patented Apr. 13, 1971 Assignee Orchard Container Corporation St. Louis, Mo.

CUTTINGS REMOVER FOR SLOTTING MACHINES 8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 93/36, 93/58.4, 93/59 Int. Cl B31b1/22, B31b 1/92 Field of Search 93/36 (A), 58.4, 59 (ES) [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,201,058 5/1940 Staubli 93/36(A) 2,753,936 7/1956 MacChesney 93/36(A) 2,759,402 8/1956 Jedlick 93/36(A) 3,518,922 7/1970 Kuehn 93/36(A) Primary ExaminerWayne A. Morse, Jr. Att0meyRalph W. Kalish ABSTRACT: For use with a slotting machine a device for speedy and efficient removal of the cuttings comprising a shaft carrying an arcuate die, a second shaft parallel to said first shaft and located downwardly thereof and carrying a grooved drum. Said drum is located spacedly beneath the die for movement of a blank therebetween with the groove presented for accepting said die during cutting operation. A frictionproducing belt carried in said groove for engaging the cutting driven thereinto by said die for carrying and impelling said cutting outwardly of said machine.

Patented April 13, 1971 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR VICTOR LABANTSCHNIG ATTORNEY Patented April 13, 1971 3,515,091

4 Shuts-Sheet 2 INVENTOR VICTOR LABANTSCHNIG ATTORNEY Patented *April 13, 1971 3,575,091

4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.6

INVENTOR VICTOR LABANTSCHNlG BY N ATTORNEY Patented A 361 13, 1971 v 3,515,091

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR VICTOR LABANTSCHNIG ATTORNEY ClU'll'illNGS WEMUVER FOR SLO'I'ilING MACHINES BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to slotting machines as used with cardboard blanks and the like and, more particularly, to means for expeditiously and reliably removing cuttings from such machines.

It is an object of the present invention to provide means for use with slotting machines for the purpose of reliably and speedily removing from the machine the cuttings or scraps severed by the dies so as to prevent jamming and the like.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cuttings-removing.means of the type stated which does not incorporate mechanical devices for engaging the cuttings, such as fingers, which have been utilized heretofore.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a removal of cuttings from slotting machines which comprehends the frictional engagement of the cutting or severed portion for rapid withdrawal of the same from the die path.

it is an additional object of the present invention to provide a device of the character stated which may be readily incorporated in existing slotting machines without entailing costly modification thereof.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a device of the character stated which may be most economically produced; which is comprised of a simplicity of components so as to be resistant to breakdown; which operates in a reliable fashion preventing jamming or clogging of the machine by an accumulation of cuttings with resultant costly downtime for the machine as well as entailing expensive repair; and which device incorporates readily controlled adjusting means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTllON OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. II is a fragmentary perspective view of a slotting machine incorporating a cuttings remover constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical, transverse, sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. ll. 1

FIG. 3 is a vertical, end view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary end view taken substantially on the line M of FIG. 2 illustrating the relationship of the machine components during severing action.

FIG. f is an enlarged vertical, transverse, sectional view taken on the line E-d of FIG. 3.

FlG. ti is a vertical, transverse, sectional view taken on the line M of FIG. 2, but illustrating the shaft in solid lines.

FlG. 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 but revealing another form of a cuttings remover, constructed in accordance with, and embodying the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now by reference characters to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention, A generally indicates a slotting machine as of the type customarily utilized for receiving workpieces w as constituted of flat blanks formed of cardboard, corrugated paper, kraftboard and the like, to cut slots therein, as indicated at s for conducing to easy formation of the particular object, such as a carton, for which blank is intended. Machine A comprises a main drive shaft 11 rotated by a prime mover (not shown) and carrying a predetermined number of annular mounting plates 2, incorporating collar portions 3 which are keyed or otherwise secured upon said shaft I. Said plates 2 embody a peripheral flange d having a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart, relatively lengthy, arcuate apertures S for extension therethrough of the retaining bolts 6 of dies 7. By means of said apertures dies 7 may be located throughout the circumference of flange d at preselected points thereon and in such number and of such angle as the particular operation may require. It is to be observed that the number of mounting plates 2 is determined by the number of slots s to be provided in blank w spacedly lengthwise thereof. The angle or arcuate extent of each die 7 and the number of the same as carried upon the respective flange 3 will be determined by the length of each slots and the number of the same to be effected in blank w transversely thereof. For purposes of orientation, the length of workpiece w that is moving through machine A is considered as being parallel to the axis of shaft l, and the transverse dimension thereof as being, correspondingly, axially perpendicular to said shaft 1.

Machine A also incorporates, downwardly of main shaft 1, a secondary shaft 8 which is axially parallel to shaft 1 and located slightly rearwardly thereof. Drive means (not shown) cause said shaft if to rotate in a clockwise manner as indicated by arrows (FIG. 2), while shaft 11 is being driven in counterclockwise direction as shown by arrows (FIG. 2).

Mounted upon shaft fl, as by keying or the like, is a plurality of drums 9, each substantially planarwise aligned with a mounting plate 2 for cooperation therewith in a manner to be described.

Each drum 9 is comprised of a base component 10 having a circumferential-projecting flange If and a diametrically reduced portion 112; there being an end plate 13 of like diameter as flange 11 mounted on said base component 10, as by bolts 14; said end plate 13 cooperating with flange I1 and portion 112 to define a circumferential groove 15. Drums 9 are located upon shaft 8 so that the respective groove 15 is aligned with dies 7 of the related mounting plate 2, with the depth of said grooves permitting of extension of the associated dies 7 th'ereinto for purposes to be shown below. The width of grooves H5, or the intervening distance between the confronting portions of flange l1 and end plate I is slightly greater than the thickness of die 7 so as to permit a relatively close, but none the less nonrestrictive, fit of said dies therein.

Trained about diametrally reduced portion 12 of each drum 9 is a friction-producing, endless belt 16, as fabricated of rubber, leather or the like, which belt extends downwardly and forwardly of the respective drum 9 for disposition about roller 117 which is internally bored as at ill for receiving the outer race I9 of a ball bearing 20; the inner race 21 of which is carried upon a spindle 22. Spindle 22 is provided with a substantially central, smooth surface stem portion and with its opposite ends being externally threaded. One end of said spindle 22 projects through an opening 23 in the end face 24 of roller 17 for extension through an aligned aperture 25, in an arm 26; which latter is fixed, as by welding, upon a collar 23 rigid on a stationary shaft 29, suitably mounted on machine A downwardly of secondary shaft 8 and axially parallel thereto. Said spindle 22 is maintained upon arm 26 by lock nuts 30,31 and at its other end also carries a lock nut 32. Said collar 2% is adjustable circumferentially of shaft 29 by means of a setscrew 33 whereby through corresponding positionment of arm 26, which radially extends beyond collar 28, the distance between shaft 8 and roller 17 may be adjusted for controlling the tension of endless belt to.

In operation, with shafts i and b rotating in opposite directions as indicated, a workpiece w, as designed, for instance, for carton formation, is fed to machine A for travel from front to back, that is, in the direction indicated by arrows in FIG. 2, moving in a plane, at a slight angle to the horizontal, between dies '7 and drum 9. As suggested above, dies 7 are so located circumferentially of plate 2 so as to engage workpiece w at predetermined locations for cutting slotlike openings s therein, which latter provide the requisite clearance for the necessary folding of the blank into carton formation.

For purpose of illustration, each pair of dies 7 is shown as being substantially apart so that based upon such intervening spacing and the speed of rotation of shaft 1 and rate of travel of blank w through machine A, slots s will be appropriately cut in requisite relationship.

Each die '7, in the trailing portion of its cutting edge, is contoured to form an arcuate recess 34 for terminating said cutting edge at a knifelike edge 35. Thus, die 7 will engage workpiece w for severing a cutting or scrap indicated at 36, to develop slot s with the rearward edge of said slot s being sharply defined, as at 37, by reason of the knife edge 35. In effecting its cutting action, die 7 will extend through the formed slot s for extension into groove of the related drum 9 and by such extension will serve to direct cutting or scrap 36 into said groove for engagement with belt 16. The now discreet cutting 36 being brought into forceful abutment with belt 16 is frictionally engaged by the latter so as to be carried thereby forwardly of machine A for ejection therefrom under the imparted impulsion caused by the travel of belt to.

In view of the foregoing it will thus be seen that die 7 serves several purposes; one being, obviously, to effect the severing of cutting or scrap 36; the second being to direct same downwardly into aligned groove 15 for engagement with belt 16; and thirdly to hold same into engagement with said belt for a sufiicient time interval to cause the cutting or scrap 36 to be subjected to the motivating force caused by said belt 16 for ejecting said cutting 36 from machine A. By such removal of cutting 36, grooves 15 are at all times maintained in open condition for ready acceptance of the subsequent cutting to assure smooth and efficient continuity of action of machine A thereby eliminating the heretofore accepted condition of periodic jamming of such cuttings with ultimate stoppage of machine A. The present invention does not incorporate mechanical components such as fingers and the like as heretofore known for attempting reliable removal of cuttings from slotting machines but achieves the desired result by expedient of bringing the cutting into engagement with a revolving device which imparts sufficient tangentially directed force for ejecting cuttings 36.

It is quite apparent from the foregoing that the present invention can be readily utilized with existing slotting machines without requiring costly modification.

Furthennore, the use of the present invention assures of continuous operation of machine A without danger of breakdown through jamming or clogging of the cuttings.

Referring now to H6. 7, another form of cuttings remover, as indicated generally at C, is illustrated. To facilitate ready comprehension of this further form, components corresponding to like components of machine A hereinabove described will be accorded the same reference numerals. Carried upon spindle 22 is a sprocket wheel 40 which is mounted for rotation in the same manner as roller 17 hereinabove described. Engaged about sprocket wheel 40 is an endless drive chain 41 which is received within groove 15 for disposition about the diametrically reduced portion between flanges l3 and ll. Thus, drive chain 41 serves the same purpose as endless belt 16 hereinabove described in that the same is adapted to frictionally engage cuttings severed by dies 7 and impell same away from the machine.

lclaim:

1. For use in a slotting machine, having a main shaft, and at least one die mounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith for cutting slots in blanks fed to the machine, the improvement comprising a second shaft, means for rotating said second shaft in a direction opposite to rotation direction of said main shaft, an annular member mounted on said second shaft for rotation therewith, means included in said second shaft for receiving the die of said main shaft during operation, and a friction-producing element provided in said annular member for engaging cuttings severed by said die.

2. For use in a slotting machine, the improvement as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said second shaft being axially parallel to said main shaft, said annular member being related to said die for feeding of a blank, to be cut, therebetween.

3. For use in a slotting machine, the improvement as defined in ciaim 2 and further characterized by said means for receiving said die comprising a circumferential groove formed in said annular member, said groove having a depth commensurate with the axial extent of said die, said groove having a width slightly greater than the thickness of said die for snugly, but unimpedingly receiving same.

4. For use in a slotting machine, the improvement as defined in claim 3 and further characterized by said friction-producing element comprising an endless belt disposed within said groove, and means for supporting the opposite portion of said endless belt.

5. For use in a slotting machine, the improvement as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by said die having a leading edge and a trailing edge, said die being contoured to provide a relatively sharp, knifelike edge coincident with its trailing edge.

6. For use in a slotting machine, the improvement as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by said groove having a width commensurate with the cross section of the material to be severed by the die for causing same to be delivered to said friction-producing element by said die for ejection from the machine.

7. For use in a slotting machine, the improvement as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by said means for supporting the opposite portion of said endless belt including tension-adjusting means for said belt.

8. For use in a slotting machine, the improvement as defined in claim 3 and further characterized by said friction-producing element comprising an endless drive chain disposed within said groove, and means for supporting and engaging the opposite portion of said drive chain. 

1. For use in a slotting machine, having a main shaft, and at least one die mounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith for cutting slots in blanks fed to the machine, the improvement comprising a second shaft, means for rotating said second shaft in a direction opposite to rotation direction of said main shaft, an annular member mounted on said second shaft for rotation therewith, means included in said second shaft for receiving the die of said main shaft during operation, and a friction-producing element provided in said annular member for engaging cuttings severed by said die.
 2. For use in a slotting machine, the improvement as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said second shaft being axially parallel to said main shaft, said annular member being related to said die for feeding of a blank, to be cut, therebetween.
 3. For use in a slotting machine, the improvement as defined in claim 2 and further characterized by said means for receiving said die comprising a circumferential groove formed in said annular member, said groove having a depth commensurate with the axial extent of said die, said groove having a width slightly greater than the thickness of said die for snugly, but unimpedingly receiving same.
 4. For use in a slotting machine, the improvement as defined in claim 3 and further characterized by said friction-producing element comprising an endless belt disposed within said groove, and means for supporting the opposite portion of said endless belt.
 5. For use in a slotting machine, the improvement as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by said die having a leading edge and a trailing edge, said die being contoured to provide a relatively sharp, knifelike edge coincident with its trailing edge.
 6. For use in a slotting machine, the improvement as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by said groove having a width commensurate with the cross section of the material to be severed by the die for causing same to be delivered to said friction-producing element by said die for ejection from the machine.
 7. For use in a slotting machine, the improvement as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by said means for supporting the opposite portion of said endless belt including tension-adjusting means for said belt.
 8. For use in a slotting machine, the improvement as defined in claim 3 and further characterized by said friction-producing element comprising an endless drive chain disposed within said groove, and means for supporting and engaging the opposite portion of said drive chain. 